Hawthorne. Space Exploration Technologies, the Hawthorne-based developer of low-cost rockets, said has it hired retired Air Force Col. Scott Henderson.

Henderson will serve as director of Mission Assurance and Integration, and will be based at the company’s Florida office.

He also will handle Florida external relations, assisting with state and local governmental, customer and media relations, the firm known as SpaceX said. Henderson is joining SpaceX after 25 years in the Air Force.